The Sex-Specific Effects of Microplastics and Phthalates Within- and Across-Generations in an Insect
Poster Number
90
Faculty Mentor Name
Zachary Stahlschmidt
Research or Creativity Area
Natural Sciences
Abstract
Microplastics (MPs; plastic particles <5mm) have been found in virtually every ecosystem and even in most human tissues. In addition to their toxicity, MPs release harmful phthalate ester (PAE) plasticizers, which make plastics more flexible and durable. Yet, we lack a comprehensive understanding of the combined effects of MPs and PAEs, which may entail additive or synergistic costs to important traits, such as reproduction. Because environments exhibit long-term contamination by MPs and PAEs, it is also important to characterize their transgenerational effects– that is, how exposure to one or both parents has carryover effects that influence their offspring. Here, we used a factorial experimental design and fed four diets (control [no additives], MPs added, PAE added, and both MPs + PAE added) to breeding pairs of the variable field cricket (Gryllus lineaticeps). We then determined within-generation effects on reproduction (mating success and egg production) and transgenerational effects on offspring (hatching success, hatchling starvation resistance, and hatchling developmental rate). Our study will be the first to test for the sex-specific effects of MPs and PAEs on fitness-related traits within- and across-generations.
Location
University of the Pacific, DeRosa University Center
Start Date
26-4-2025 10:00 AM
End Date
26-4-2025 1:00 PM
The Sex-Specific Effects of Microplastics and Phthalates Within- and Across-Generations in an Insect
University of the Pacific, DeRosa University Center
Microplastics (MPs; plastic particles <5mm) have been found in virtually every ecosystem and even in most human tissues. In addition to their toxicity, MPs release harmful phthalate ester (PAE) plasticizers, which make plastics more flexible and durable. Yet, we lack a comprehensive understanding of the combined effects of MPs and PAEs, which may entail additive or synergistic costs to important traits, such as reproduction. Because environments exhibit long-term contamination by MPs and PAEs, it is also important to characterize their transgenerational effects– that is, how exposure to one or both parents has carryover effects that influence their offspring. Here, we used a factorial experimental design and fed four diets (control [no additives], MPs added, PAE added, and both MPs + PAE added) to breeding pairs of the variable field cricket (Gryllus lineaticeps). We then determined within-generation effects on reproduction (mating success and egg production) and transgenerational effects on offspring (hatching success, hatchling starvation resistance, and hatchling developmental rate). Our study will be the first to test for the sex-specific effects of MPs and PAEs on fitness-related traits within- and across-generations.
